I served in the United States Air Force for over 16 years including a stint in the first Iraq war and when I had to give briefings on leadership to younger officers, I often used one of our phrases in the Air Force, “level flight – rising terrain” If you were flying an aircraft at a level flight and there was rising terrain, obviously you will crash. A pilot must pull up in situations like those. In the business world this is the same as not having a written strategic plan for your business because you are doing well now. With globalization, technology advancement, rising fuel prices, political pressure, especially in Guyana, if you continue on a level flight, most likely you will crash.
The world has changed for most business and government organizations. While major changes in operations have always been required, in the past they have been the exception and not the rule. In the past, organizations have been content to “muddle” their way through a change effort because they knew they would have a period of stability for some time ahead. Now, however, change is no longer the exception but the rule. The typical big change in business and government is a rocky road at best, with many big changes coming in with a low success rate. In today’s fast-changing world, organizations must be able to make changes in an organized, predictable, and cost effective manner.
Start out by imagining you are being interviewed by 60 Minutes and they were to ask you what you did five years ago that made you successful today in business. When you talk to some of our business stalwarts like Mr. Gafoor and Eddie Boyer of National Hardware and others, they will tell you that commitment, understanding the environment and dedication to their business were keys to their success. Many other stores along Regent Street have been in existence for many years, but never were able to turn into the next big department store. A lot of it has to do with vision, planning and maybe desire to become larger. Some intentionally are satisfied to remain a ma and pop store.
One other military strategy we used during combat was when ground troops needed Close Air Support, being the need to be able to call in fighter jets for bombings of targets that may affect one’s position in order to get them out of a tight situation. It is the same with businesses, with increased competition; you must be able to call upon your plans that cover how to deal with the business constraints, competition, political pressure and the need to implement new technologies in order to remain competitive in your business. Until next week “Roop”
